“We believe we are better equipped this season than last to win the title,” says CPD Y Rhyl 1879 striker Jonny Taylor.

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 striker Jonny Taylor talks to Grassroots North Wales about his team’s prospects in the tier 3 Ardal North West League this season.

Taylor, 34, is in his second campaign with the Lilywhites having previously worn the colours of Wrexham, Burnley, Shrewsbury Town, Bradford Park Avenue, Flint Town United, Buckley Town, Mold Alexandra, Gresford Athletic, Llay Welfare and Cefn Druids, whom he represented in the Cymru Premier and Europe in 2018-19.

Jonny will miss the first few games of the 2023-24 season, but admits he is raring to go.

How do you feel things are shaping up at CPD Y Rhyl 1879 on the eve of a new season?

Things are shaping up nicely at Rhyl this season. We’ve lost one or two players in the pre-season, but we’ve signed well, brought some new lads in, got cover in nearly every position, more than two players per position – which is good. I think you need that if you’re going to win the league.

I don’t see the point in getting only 18 or so lads in, as if you get a couple of injuries or bans or lads on holiday, you’re always down to the bare bones.

Unfortunately, some lads are going to miss out some weeks, but it is what it is, we’re all in it together.

I know the lads who miss out some weeks will be there supporting the rest because we’re a club – and that’s what will be the difference at the end of the season.

How are the new signings settling in? Any names to watch out for?

All in all, the new lads have settled in well. We’ve brought in some great players who are good lads as well, good for the changing room.

We’ve got young lads, and got experience with the likes of Robbo (Mark Roberts).

We had a good team bonding night out the other week, all the new lads were out which was good to see

Obviously lads to watch out for include Alex Jones, who for me is the best player in the league by a long way – he was last year and he will be again this year, I’ve no doubt about that.

I think we’ve got good lads all over the park, but the stand out would obviously have to be Alex.Jones.

How is your own form going into the season? What are you aiming for in 2023-24?

Unfortunately, I will miss the first few games of the season and I didn’t get as many minutes in pre-season as I’d have liked.

I fully understand he (the manager) needs players playing who are going to play the first few games and I’m not there.

However, I feel good, a bit fitter than I was last year. You know what you’re going to get from me and it’s not going to change at my age. I feel good and ready to go.

Do you think Rhyl can be major title contenders this season?

We can definitely put up a challenge.- we did last year, but fell just short.

The only reason we fell short last year was down to ourselves, no-one else being better than us because I don’t think anyone was, but the league table says otherwise and we finished third. Bangor and Denbigh have gone up and good luck to them both in the Cymru North.

I think we’re serious contenders this year, stronger than we were last year.

Which teams will be your hardest opponents, do you think?

Obvious ones are Flint Mountain, who have a good set up and a great set of lads.

Conwy have signed a few good lads and Holyhead Hotspur dropping down a league will be a big test. I’d say Conwy, Nantlle Vale, Holyhead and Flint.

Last season discipline was a problem. It might have cost Rhyl the title in the end, all the suspensions and also injuries. Do you feel the squad is better equipped this time around?

People can say discipline may have cost us the title, with all the suspensions, but I don’t think that was the case.

You only have to look at the Bangor game (Oct 22, fiery game featuring seven red cards and numerous subsequent bans). I don’t want to comment too much about that, it is what it is, done and dusted; but you only need to look at the great run we went on after that game to see what we were about.

We fell short in the big games, but I don’t think that was down to suspensions, that was down to our performances on the day.

We’re definitely better equipped this season than last.

What do you need to do differently this season than last to win the title?

We don’t need to do a lot different, we just need to focus on ourselves.

If we can just keep ticking games off week by week we know come May we’ll be up there, if not over the line.

Do you set personal targets? How many goals are you aiming for?

I don’t set targets, only to get through the season, get a few goals here and there and just help the lads through.

I’m older than most in the squad, so my experience can hopefully benefit them. I’d say 20 goals would be a good season, but setting targets is not for me.

Message to the Rhyl fans ahead of the season?

Your support doesn’t go unnoticed. You travel everywhere to support us and give us a great following at home.

We do appreciate you, keep singing the boys on and hopefully we can return it with some silverware this season.